McLeod Health

Congratulations to Dr. Benjamin Elder with McLeod Pediatric Associates of Florence - West on being voted Best Pediatrician in the 2025 The News-Kingstree "Best of the Best" contest. Thank you for the compassionate care you provide to our youngest patients.

McLeod Health welcomes Lorie Loreman, MD, to the medical staff of McLeod Regional Medical Center. Dr. Loreman joins Dr. Vinod Jona, Dr. Carmen Taype-Roberts, and Nurse Practitioner Melissa Kirk in practice at McLeod Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates in Florence. Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease, Dr. Loreman provides the best in treatment to patients with lung conditions including COPD, asthma, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, shortness of breath and cough as well as sleep apnea and infectious lung diseases. McLeod Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates welcomes patients by referral. For more information, call 843-777-7863.

McLeod Health welcomes Latasha M. Burgess, MD, to the medical staff. Dr. Burgess joins Dierdre Young, MD, and Angela Saxon, DNP, in serving patients at McLeod Internal and Family Medicine Associates, formerly McLeod Internal Medicine Associates. As a family medicine physician, Dr. Burgess treats patients with a broad spectrum of health care needs, from children to geriatric patients, and all ages in between. She has a passion for preventive care and wellness, geriatrics, women’s health, and mental health. Dr. Burgess welcomes new patients. For more information, call 843-777-7341.

Congratulations to Lee Burris, Director of Construction; Mike Defee, Central Energy Plant Manager; William (Bill) Maul, Facilities Project Manager; and Woodrow McCall, Plumbing Medical Gas Manager from the McLeod Health Facilities Management Team, on receiving the 2025 Harbor Freight Fellows Youth Skill Trades Summit Mentors of the Year Award. These four individuals serve as mentors to the participants of the Industrial Maintenance Youth Residency Program at McLeod Regional Medical Center. The Youth Residency Program is a partnership between Harbor Freight Fellows Initiative, Big Picture Learning and McLeod Health whose goal is to increase support and investment in skilled trades education through apprenticing experiences for youth. The objectives are to secure potential employment for the participating youth and to build a pipeline of skilled workers. In addition, Octavian McKnight, a McLeod HVAC Mechanic, was presented the 2025 Harbor Freight Junior Fellow of the Year Award. McKnight was invited to be a guest speaker at the 2025 South Carolina Youth Skilled Trades Summit offering words of encouragement to the attendees. The awards were presented at the 2025 South Carolina Youth Skilled Trades Summit held in Greenville, SC.

McLeod Health welcomes Amy Davidson, DO, to the medical staff. Dr. Davidson will serve patients at McLeod Regional Medical Center as an Anesthesiologist. For more information, call McLeod Anesthesia – MRMC at 843-777-8752.

Rachel Gainey, CEO of McLeod Health Clarendon; Derick Urquhart, McLeod Health Government Affairs Manager; Dr. Caetie Rabon, Regional Chief Medical Officer for McLeod Health Cheraw, Clarendon and Dillon; and Kim Jolly, Chief Nursing Officer for McLeod Health Clarendon recently attended The Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce State of Sumter at Christ Community Church. Attendees heard updates from Sumter County, City of Sumter, Sumter Economic Development Board and the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce. McLeod Health team members are pictured alongside two recent McLeod Fellows graduates, Quinetta Buterbaugh and Erika Williams, at the State of Sumter event.

McLeod Health welcomes Victor Collier, MD, to the medical staff of McLeod Health as a Hospitalist and Program Director for the newly established McLeod Internal Medicine Residency Program.

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a new FDA-approved treatment for atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. This procedure is offered at both McLeod Regional Medical Center and McLeod Health Seacoast. What this video from McLeod Electrophysiologist Dr. Prabal Guha for more information.

McLeod Health welcomes Daniela Smith, MD, to the medical staff. Dr. Smith will serve patients at McLeod Health Loris and McLeod Health Seacoast as an Anesthesiologist. For more information, call McLeod Anesthesia Seacoast at 843-390-8128.

McLeod Health welcomes Kenneth Jostock, MD, to the medical staff of McLeod Health Loris and McLeod Health Seacoast. Dr. Jostock will serve patients as a Hospitalist. For more information, call McLeod Loris Seacoast Hospitalists at 843-390-8304.